I voted in this last week, but I just want to second the sentiment that the bad covers are truly horrific this year. I had a hard time choosing the worst and, in fact, I'm not sure the one I chose is so much the worst as it was one that was bad in a funny way. Some of the others -- especially one -- was bad in a tasteless, tacky way.

I still haven't picked my winner in Historicals. I nominated the Jeannie Lin and was super excited to see what I think is the first Asian couple in the cover contest. It's a gorgeous cover with accurate costumes and a wonderful sense of setting, and I didn't expect any other books to put up a challenge. But I can't believe how good some of the others are!

I still haven't picked my winner in Historicals. I nominated the Jeannie Lin and was super excited to see what I think is the first Asian couple in the cover contest. It's a gorgeous cover with accurate costumes and a wonderful sense of setting, and I didn't expect any other books to put up a challenge. But I can't believe how good some of the others are!

Some of them are downright amazing. Weirdly though, I seemed to keep picking winners from the ones that had women in long white dresses. Can't remember if I picked the Lin, but you're right, it is really pretty. I don't believe I've seen an Asian couple either.

The Worst category is a favorite but it also generates controversy since some voters feel there shouldn't be a Worst category in the contest. Displeasure with inferior covers was Carol's inspiration for creating the contest and it has become a tradition. The only change is that the mainstream publishers have improved their covers and the smaller publishers are hit and miss with cover quality. They are capable of creating great covers but often they create "What were they thinking?" covers.

The Cover Cafe contest is open for voting until May 28, 2013. If you haven't voted, there is still time. We have a few covers that are running away with their categories but there are one or two categories with several covers battling for the top spot._________________Linnae
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